Picking on Celebrities

United States
January 16, 2010 7:33am CST
Okay, before I go into my usual ranting, I want to make it clear that I think most celebrities who donate to charity are extremely patriotic, kindhearted, good people who are doing so to make a difference and not to make headlines. However, I'm a little bugged by the way the rich and famous are celebrated for making charitable donations sometimes, while average Joe's and Jane's giving much more percentage-wise go unheralded. It was all over the news for the past couple days (entertainment news - Real news dealing with real issues didn't really touch the story) about Brad and Angelina donating 1 million dollars to charity. Wow. That's a lot of money! It's certainly more than I have by a loooooong shot. And, assuming the intended people get the money, it's a life-changing, life-saving amount. So, far be it for me to knock such a generous donation. But then I get to thinking about the equivalent -- how much one million really is to the gifter. With movies, back-end publication deals, appearances, etc, Brad and Angelina cleared an easy 80 million combined in the past year or so. Easily. So by percentage, donating one million for them is the equivalent of someone making 40,000 a year donating 500 bucks. Again, one million is a HUGE amount to needy people. I cannot possibly pick at anyone so generous. But we're talking about 1.25% of probably the minimum they made in the past year/18 months. (I got the 80 mill number by seeing that Pitt and Jolie earn 27 and 28 million per film respectively.. so, seriously, even after taxes, 80 between the two was probably the minimum they made combined for everything they did.) I'm only bringing this up for one reason and one reason alone: Most of these celebrities are of the ilk that want "social justice" in America -- the rich to provide entitlements for everyone else. (Although I've read that, personally, Jolie despises 'socialism.') Now, in my humble opinion, Brad Pitt is a true American patriot with this contributions to New Orelans and other donations, and Jolie is a genuine savior to some children. And many other celebrities who donate also do a lot. But... If they have the obvious means to do more, and are on the bandwagon wanting Wall St. execs and other rich folks to pay exponentially more taxes for universal healthcare, etc, then doesn't 1.25% become an extremely small number to give? I know I'm just picking at celebrities in general and using Pitt and Jolie's contribution as an example. I'm really not trying to. They're not obligated to give anything and I wholeheartedly commend them for giving what they do. But if someone wants a Utopian culture, shouldn't the personal price for celebrities with so much money be more than 1.25%?
3 responses
shell2784
@shell2784 (752)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Well... have you donated your $500 to a charity yet? I understand that these are some big named people and they make a lot of money. And if I were in some horrible disaster or situation, I'd be praying for some rich couple to come along and save me from it all - but its no one's obligation but my own to make sure I'm taken care of. Charity is just that... charity. Its giving your time, your money. Its not anything anyone is required to do, regardless of how much is in your bank account. The only reason they get as much recognition as they do is because of what their occupation is... and because it was a million dollars. (and you do realize that they do more than just a million here and there too right? With the trips overseas to orphanages and small villages and such) Somebody has a post up the other day asking if bill gates should help out the economy by giving money or starting a new company or something. And again, it would be nice... but its not his obligation. What you earn by going to work everyday, no matter how much or how little, is yours. It is yours because you've worked for it. Is it unfair that some people make $27 million for a movie while others work for $15000 a year? Sure it is... but does that mean that your neighbor who makes $100K a year should help you out if you get behind on bills? Would you ask your neighbor for $100 to pay your electric bill? I know I wouldn't! So - while its a nice thought, I think that any charity more than appreciates all the donations they receive... whether I mail out a check for $10 or more. Its still me, giving away my money that I worked for, to help out in any way that I am willing to.
matersfish
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
16 Jan 10
I agree 100% and said so in my post. It is not their obligation in any way, and I'm very impressed that some donate as much as they do. My only point was, with some of these celebrities wanting to step into the political arena and advocate higher taxes, wealth redistribution and entitlements, then shouldn't they lead by example by donating more than 1.25%? I think it's a legitimate question, but I'd never, in any way, attempt to tell anyone what to do with their money. They earn it and can spend it however they see fit. I donate well over $500 annually to a variety of charities. I'm certainly not expecting a pat on the back. Like I said, my point isn't what they're doing with their money, per se. It's more of a practice what they're preaching thing. Maybe Oliver Stone or Sean Penn would be better examples. Thank you for responding, though! In two years here, I've started 6 discussion and have gotten 5 total responses.
iakulchen
@iakulchen (615)
• Singapore
19 Jan 10
The way I see it, it's not so much that the rich and famous are celebrated for making charitable donations, it's that they are in the spotlight for practically everything they do. Average Joes and Janes don't get in the news for going to the restaurant alone with someone else either. It's pretty much a two-sided coin.
Opal26
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
17 Jan 10
Hey materfish! We are definitely in major agreement here! I do not think that Angelina and Brad Pitt giving one million dollars is any big deal CONSIDERING how much money they make! I hate that people make such a damn fuss about them! I myself, personally can't stand them, won't see any of their movies and don't think they are anything special and are way overpaid for what they do! I am so not impressed and certainly think that they could have given more money! It is a tax write off besides the point! Celebs like them make me sick! I wish I could afford to give money! At least if I did it would mean something because I don't have enough money to live on myself! So, don't even get me started! It just makes me so angry! I wish that I could help these poor people, but nobody is helping me pay for my Medicaid that Disability is making ME PAY FOR MYSELF! They don't care if I even have Health Insurance and I am DISABLED!